The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, has led a delegation to the opening ceremony of the International Election Observation Programme (IEOP) for the Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections currently underway in the Republic of Korea.
The programme is taking place in South Korea from May 29 to June 5, 2026.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Mrs. Victoria Eta-Messi, confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday that the IEOP was formally opened on May 30, 2026, in Seoul.
The programme is organised by the South Korean National Election Commission (NEC) and is designed to bring together election management bodies, experts and international observers from different countries.
According to her, participants are expected to observe and exchange knowledge on the conduct of local government elections in South Korea, with emphasis on improving global electoral practices.
The INEC chairman was accompanied by National Commissioner, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu; the Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman, Prof. Dimis Mai-Lafia; and the Director of Training, Dr. Binta Kasim Mohammed.
Eta-Messi said the delegation also observed early voting procedures at a polling centre in Mia-dong, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, where they gained first-hand exposure to South Korea’s electoral systems and processes.
She explained that the visit was part of INEC’s broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system through exposure to international best practices and emerging trends in election administration.
The commission said participation in such programmes would enhance institutional knowledge in election observation, governance standards, and operational efficiency.
INEC noted that its involvement in the programme reflects ongoing efforts to deepen democratic institutions and improve the credibility of elections in Nigeria.
It added that lessons drawn from the South Korean experience would contribute to continuous reforms in the country’s electoral processes.
